Pacific Division Preview

1st - San Jose
2nd - Los Angeles
3rd - Anaheim
4th - Dallas
5th - Phoenix

San Jose - Led by Joe Thornton, this team has the make-up of a Stanley Cup contender. This team was able to keep Patrick Marleau during the off-season and this helps with the team's overall depth. Michalek will be a player to keep an eye on.

Los Angeles - Not since the days of Wayne Gretzky has this team looked so good. Anze Kopitar is an underated player, but with Cammilari on his wing, him and his team should break-out this year. This team has a good mix of youth and experience. Jack Johnson, a rookie, will have veteran Rob Blake to learn from. This team will look good on some nights, but will look bad on others. The key will be whether Bernier will be able to shoulder the bulk of the goaltending duties.

Anaheim - Stanley Cup hangover. Last year, the previous Stanley Cup finalists didn't even make the playoffs. Anaheim will have the same problems. I like the core of this team, but with the loss of Niedermayer and Selanne, this team will not be as dominant as last year. If Anaheim makes the playoffs, they will be a dangerous team because they are built for long playoff runs. Getlaf, a player I once despised for being arrogant and cocky, is starting to win me over and will probably have a big year.

Dallas - This team is fairly solid, but my gut says they will stink. Turco has never been the goalie that he was supposed to be. This team will be battling hard to make the playoffs as there are some really good teams in the western conference.

Phoenix - This is a joke of a franchise. Without Gretzky, this team would have moved, revamped their roster, begin to rebuild, or something. My prediction is that this team moves to Vegas in the next couple of years to satisfy Janet Gretzky's gambling needs. Hockey will not last in the desert, and Gretzky should get out of there to keep some of his previously earned respect.